Newly-retired Adebayo Akinfenwa anoints American striker Daryl Dike as strongest player in FIFA

Adebayo Akinfenwa’s retirement from soccer in May meant his reign as FIFA’s strongest player came to an end as well, and the fan favorite marked the end of the era with a hilarious tribute to the new title-holders.

With his FIFA card sat on a chair, the striker placed a ‘Beast Mode’ hat by the card of American striker Daryl Dike, who Akinfenwa revealed had a 96 strength rating for FIFA 23.

Czech striker Tomas Chory – also a 96 strength rating in the forthcoming game – was recognized in the video by the former Wycombe Wanderers striker as well.

‘It’s time,’ Akinfenwa began the clip.  

‘Bit emotional but it’s only right that I pass on the crown, the title of FIFA’s strongest player.’

The video ended with Boyz II Men’s ‘End of the Road’ playing over Akinfenwa’s voice as the sun set on a near-decade of dominance in the strength category.

Daryl Dike has barely played at West Bromwich Albion due to several injuries

Tomas Chory was also given a strength rating of 96 for the new edition of the game

Akinfenwa was the game’s strongest player from 2012-22, though he briefly relinquished his crown in 2017 and 2019 due to midseason upgrades.

The bruising striker never fell below a 96 strength rating from the 2012 edition of the game, and reached a high base rating of 98, falling agonizingly close to the vaunted 99 mark.

West Brom striker Dike saw Akinfenwa’s congratulatory post, despite not being tagged in it, and replied with kind words of his own.

‘What an honor,’ he said, along with a flexing emoji and eyes-welling-up emoji.

Dike has spent much of his time in the Midlands out injured, and was ruled out for another couple months by manager Steve Bruce after suffering a thigh injury last month. 

Chory, however, has enjoyed a better start to the season, scoring three goals in four starts for Polish club Viktoria Plzen.